Abstract: SA-PO0979
RenalWheels: Rapid Inpatient Televideo Consultations
Session Information
- Educational Research
October 24, 2026 | Location: Exhibit Hall A, Convention Center
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Educational Research
- 1000 Educational Research
Authors
- Volety, Abishek, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Ojaimi, Nadim, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Adnani, Harsha, University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Seliger, Stephen L., University of Maryland Baltimore School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
- Ejaz, Abutaleb Ahsan, VA Medical Center Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Background
Decreasing nephrology workforce and trainee applicant pools have created challenges for efficient traditional delivery of care. Many programs, including the VA Video Connect, enables secure and private healthcare encounters in a virtual medical room using encrypted video technology. However, renal fellowship programs have been slow to avail of this opportunity, especially in the emergency care setting.
We devised a program to leverage telehealth technology to provide rapid nephrology consultation for patients in the emergency department and evaluate their effect on clinical decision making, services rendered and trainee wellbeing.
Methods
Renal patients admitted to the hospital via Emergency Department and requiring urgent consults were evaluated using televideo technology (RenalWheels).
Results
Four fellows performed 36 urgent, afterhours consultations over a 6 month period using televideo technology. Response time was <30mins, 36% required urgent initiation of dialysis and consults were completed in less than an hour. No adverse event was documented. Trainees found the process simple, had good cooperation from referring physicians and good patient responsiveness. Trainees reported qualitatively less call-related stress, more time for rest and recovery, less exhausted physically or emotionally after calls, better work-life balance and positive impact on their ability to provide patient care
Conclusion
Televideo technology can supplement traditional emergency nephrology care in training programs and offer rapid and effective delivery of care, whilst improving the wellbeing of trainees.
Funding
- Veterans Affairs Support